Flagpole ornament



Dec. 15, 1953 J. K. GRANACHER FLAGPOLE ORNAMENT Filed June 30, 1952 INVENTOR. Jams; K. G'mmomsp I ,qrmmzy Patented Dec. 15, 1953 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My present invention relates to flagpole ornament and more particularly to a new and improved means by which a hollow ball or other similar ornament can be conveniently and securely mounted at the upper end of a flagpole.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a mounting for securing a hollow ornament at the top of a flagpole.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mounting and an ornamental ball for the top of a flagpole in which the ball is constructed of glass or other refractory material and finished with a permanent glazed gold finish which will avoid the necessity for periodic painting and/or cleaning thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive flagpole ornament constructed of glass and/or other refractory material and a mounting for securing same at the upper end of a flagpole in such manner that the mounting means is concealed and provides a permanence not possessed by similar ornaments now in use.

Other objections and advantages will be in part pointed out hereinafter and in part evident to those skilled in the art as the description thereof taken in connection with the accompanying drawing proceeds.

In the drawing, wherein there is shown by way of illustration and not of limitation a preferred embodiment of the invention:

Figure l is a vertical sectional view of my improved ornament as assembled with its supporting elements, and

Figures 2 and 3, respectively, show the details of the ornament engaging elements of the support.

In this particular field flagpoles are now generally ornamented with a solid wooden or metal ball. With these ornaments it is necessary for appearance sake that the ball or ornament be regilded at least once every two years. This is an expensive and dangerous operation with the ornament or ball located in its normal and extremely inaccessible position at the upper end of the pole. Because of this there has always been a demand for an ornament which would retain its luster and thus not require further attention after being installed. To meet this demand I have provided a hollow ornament or ball which may be constructed of any suitable material, but preferably of glass or other refractory material and as a finish the ball or ornament is structing the ball of translucent glass having a more or less yellowish brown color that a satisfactory gold finish can be provided without requiring a coating of the entire surface of the ball. In this instance the surface of the ball is merely high-lighted with the gold glaze and from a distance the ball has the appearance of being completely glazed in gold.

As shown in Figure 1 of the drawing my improved ornament comprises a hollow spherical ball ID of opaque or translucent glass or other refractory material. At the lower part of the ball there is a single hole or aperture ll having a diameter sufficient to permit the insertion of two arouate clamping members [2 and 13, which are arranged in opposed relation and associated with a supporting staff I4 in such a manner that upon a turning of the staff M the members l2 and I3 will be moved into securing relation with the interior of the hollow ball ID. The member 52 is shown as provided with a dimple or recess I 5 into which the spherical upper end and extension it formed upon the stafi I4 is positioned. Spaced from the end of the extension It the staff M has a larger threaded portion H upon which the member I3 is threaded as will hereinaifter appear.

The members l2 and I3 are so dimensioned that they may be freely passed singly through the hole or opening I l at the bottom of the ornament l0 and after being manipulated into the positions as shown in Figure l, the stafi it with its extension [6 is turned into the threaded portion [1 of the member I3. This will cause the member l3 to move outwardly with relation to the member 12 and eventually exert a clamping pressure between these members !2 and I3 and the interior of the ball it. To prevent fracture of the hollow ball the members i 2 and i 3 are each provided with an outer surface facing it which may be of leather, felt, or other suitable material. The members l2 and 13 are also shown as having some considerable arcuate length and this way the pressures exerted upon the ball are distributed over a relatively large area of ball. At the same time the facings l8 afford a firm contact which will prevent any loosening of the ornament by expansion of the ball due to changes in atmospheric conditions and temperature. To prevent a turning of the member l3 during the assembling operation, this member is shown as having spanner wrench recesses 59 that are formed in an extending boss 25! which in turn serves to position the hole ll of ornament l0 centrally with respect to the staif I4.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings the members 12 and I3 have their outer surfaces curved to conform with the inner spherical surface of the ornament l and also have enlarged and thicker central portions to respectively accommodate the dimple l and a threaded aperture 2! into which the threaded portion H of the staff 15 is threaded.

With the above arrangement it is seen that when finally assembled in the manner illustrated there will be provided an ornament which will be extremely durable under all weather conditions and will not require periodic cleaning and/or painting. At the same time the means by which the ball If} is secured to the staff I4 is completely concealed and protected from the weather. As a final operation it is conceivable that the space between the opening or hole II and the boss of the member 13' may be filled with a cement or mastic. This result can also be attained by forming the surface facing 18 of rubber or other waterproof material.

While I have, for the sake Of clearness and in order to disclose the invention so that the same can be readily understood, described and illustrated a specific form and arrangement, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific form disclosed, but may be embodied in other forms that will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art. It is believed that this invention is new and it is desired to claim it so that all such changes as come within the scope of the appended claims are to be considered as part of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to seek by Letters Patent is- 1. A flagpole ornament, comprising a hollow spherical ball with a single staff accommodating aperture at the under .side thereof, a supporting staff having an intermediate thread carrying portion and an extendin end of reduced diameter rounded at its end, an arcuate clamping member having a surface configuration conforming with the interior surface .of said spherical ball and a dimple for engagement with the rounded end of said staff, a second arcuate member likewise having a configuration conforming to the interior surface of said spherical ball and a threaded central opening adapted and arranged to be threaded upon the threaded portion of said stall, said first and second arcuate members being dimensioned to be individually inserted into the interior of said spherical ball through its single stafi accommodating aperture, whereby after assembly within said spherical ball said arcuate members may be moved away from each other and into a firm supporting engagement with the interior of said spherical ball as said supporting staff is turned relative thereto.

2. In a flagpole ornament, the combination of a hollow spherical ball of refractory material having a single staff accommodating aperture, a supporting staff having an intermediate threaded portion and a projecting end of reduced diameter, an arcuate member having an outer configuration conforming with the interior surface of said spherical ball opposite said staff accommodating aperture, a second arcuate member likewise having an outer configuration conforming to the interior surface of said spherical ball adjacent said aperture and a threaded central opening adapted and arranged to be engaged by the threaded portion of said staff, said arcuate members bein dimensioned to be individually inserted into the interior of said spherical ball through its single stafi accommodating aperture, and a boss upon said latter arcuate member for occupying said aperture having means for holding said member against turning by a turning of said staff, whereby after assembly within said spherical ball said arcuate members may be moved into a firm supporting eng gement with the interior .of said spherical ball by a turni of said supporting staff.

JOHN K. GR NACHER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 737,142 Richards Aug. 25, 1903 1,028,706 Geary June 4, 1914 2,102,999 De Vries Dec. 21, 1937 

